Daily Lesson for July 9, 2018

Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Psalm 1 verse 3:

They are like trees planted by streams of water,

bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; 

everything they do shall prosper.

This week Broadway’s youth are on their annual Broadway Youth Choir Tour and Mission Trip. Yesterday they sang in Worship at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL and they are now headed east towards Charleston, SC.

This year’s theme “Deep Roots” is inspired by the giant Angel Oak tree on Johns Island near the City of Charleston. Estimated to be 400 to 500 years old or even older, the southern live oak stands 65 feet tall and its branches stretch out as far as 187.  It’s name is derived from the old Justus and Martha Waight Tucker Angel estate on which it is found.  A Charleston icon, the angels of former slaves are said to sometimes be seen in and around the tree. Our youth pastor Fran climbed and played on the Angel Tree as a little girl growing up in Charleston.

A tree doesn’t grow that big and love to be that old without a good roots system. All of what is visible to the eye is above ground, but what sustains it is below. Its branches are long; but it’s roots are even longer. Sometime back a development was being planned for near the Angel Tree, but residents fought back, arguing the development at even a good distance could harm the Angel Tree.

How deep are our roots?  How deep and how long and how strong are the spiritual practices which sustain us. Behind what is seen; what is unseen? How much prayer, meditation, study of Scripture, and study of the lives of those who’ve walked the path before us?

There is nourishment to be found beneath the ground. Deep water runs below the surface. And if we are going to grow up big and tall we have to first grow down deep and strong.

For a tree is only as strong as its roots; and a person is only as deep as her prayers.